Processing life and work events

Abstract

A method provides a user with access to resources associated with a life or work event by enabling the user to perform certain operations, including specifying a list of one or more tasks corresponding to the event, specifying one or more resources associated with each task, indicating a task order (including an indication of whether two or more tasks in the task list are to be performed in an order-dependent or in an order-independent manner), and formatting the task list into a presentation format. A system with user interface controls enables a user to perform certain operations, including designating an event, generating a list of tasks associated with the event, and specifying an order for performance of the tasks in the task list that may be followed in processing an instance of the event.

1. A method for providing a user with access to resources associated with a specified event, the method comprising enabling a user to perform operations comprising:
 linking a user-specified event to an event definition, the event definition linked to an event hierarchy; 
 determining a list of one or more tasks corresponding to the specified event and of one or more resources associated with the one or more tasks; 
 determining a task order for the determined list, the task order indicating which of the one or more tasks are to be performed in an order-dependent manner, wherein determining a task order comprises: 
 indicating a first plurality of tasks that are to be performed in an order-dependent manner, in a specified sequence and under control of a wizard utility; and 
 indicating a second plurality of tasks that are to be performed in an order-independent manner, including performing substantially in parallel or in one of a sequential or consecutive manner; 
 formatting the list into a presentation format; 
 importing data related to the one or more tasks 
 receiving user modifications of the imported data; 
 implementing the user modifications; 
 exporting the modified data; 
 associating one or more user-specified resources with the one or more tasks; 
 displaying the one or more tasks in a task page; 
 updating the specified event based on one or more modifications to the event definition, the one or more modifications based at least in part on modifications to a higher-level event than the selected event in the event hierarchy. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the specifying, indicating, and formatting operations are performed by an administrative-user using interface controls provided in a graphical user interface. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the user interface controls comprise graphical abstractions. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the graphical abstractions comprise one or more of text entry fields, buttons, menus, icons, and links. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2  wherein the user interface controls are provided in a browser-based application. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the specified event comprises a life or work event. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein formatting comprises specifying a navigation model for presentation of the list of tasks. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  wherein the navigation model comprises a flat list, a nested list, or a tree structure. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7  wherein the navigation model comprises a flat list with related tasks delineated by a group name. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7  wherein the navigation model comprises folders. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein determining a task order comprises indicating a specified sequence for performing the one or more tasks. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein determining a list of one or more tasks further comprises specifying whether a task is optional or mandatory. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  wherein determining a task order further comprises specifying task priorities. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  wherein the user-specified resources comprise at least one of content or functionality. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1  further comprising associating a user-specified home page with the specified event. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1  further comprising associating a user-specified due date with the specified event. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a user specification of the task page and associating the task page with the one or more tasks. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a user specification of two or more participants for the specified event. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein receiving a user specification of two or more participants comprises identifying one or more owners of the specified event and one or more participants in the specified event. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  wherein receiving a user specification of two or more participants comprises identifying one or more approvers associated with the specified event. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 1  further comprising associating the specified event with one or more roles in a role-based portal, the one or more roles specified by the user. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 1  further comprising importing the event definition from a user. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 1  further comprising creating a user-specified new version of the event definition. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 1  further comprising exporting at least one of the specified list of tasks, the indicated task order, or the presentation format. 
     
     
       25. A system comprising:
 a memory storing instructions; and 
 a manner executing the instructions to receive user inputs to: 
 link an event to a an event definition, the event definition linked to an event hierarchy; 
 generate a list of tasks associated with the event; 
 specify an order for performance of the tasks on the list wherein specifying an order for performance of the tasks comprises: 
 indicating a first plurality of tasks that are to be performed in an order-dependent manner, in a specified sequence and under control of a wizard utility; and 
 indicating a second plurality of tasks that are to be performed in an order-independent manner, including performing substantially in parallel or in one of a sequential or consecutive manner; 
 import data; 
 modify the imported data according to a user specified modification; 
 export the modified data to another one or more external systems; 
 associate one or more user-specified additional resources with the one or more tasks; 
 display the one or more tasks in a task page; and 
 update the specified event based on one or more modifications to the event definition, the one or more modifications being based at least in part on modifications to a higher-level event than the selected event in the event hierarchy. 
 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 25  wherein the user interface controls are provided in a graphical user interface environment. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 25  wherein the user interface controls comprise graphical abstractions for interacting with a user. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 27  wherein the graphical abstractions comprise one or more of text entry fields, buttons, menus, icons, and links. 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 25  wherein the user interface controls are provided in a browser-based application. 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 25  wherein the event corresponds to an objective to be achieved. 
     
     
       31. The system of  claim 25  wherein the event comprises a life or work event. 
     
     
       32. The system of  claim 25  wherein the list of tasks comprises one or more tasks. 
     
     
       33. The system of  claim 25  wherein the user interface controls are configured to receive a navigation model for presentation of the list of tasks. 
     
     
       34. The system of  claim 33  wherein the navigation model comprises a flat list, a nested list, or a tree structure. 
     
     
       35. The system of  claim 33  wherein the navigation model comprises a flat list with related tasks delineated by a group name. 
     
     
       36. The system of  claim 33  wherein the navigation model comprises folders. 
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 25  wherein generate a list of tasks comprises specifying whether at least one of the tasks is optional or mandatory. 
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 25  wherein specifying an order for performance of the tasks comprises specifying task priorities. 
     
     
       39. The system of  claim 25  wherein the processor executes the instructions to receive user input to associate one or more resources with at least one of the tasks. 
     
     
       40. The system of  claim 39  wherein each resource comprises content or functionality or a combination of both. 
     
     
       41. The system of  claim 25  wherein designating the event comprises providing information descriptive of the event. 
     
     
       42. The system of  claim 41  wherein the information descriptive of the event comprises one or more of an event name and a textual description of the event. 
     
     
       43. The system of  claim 25  wherein generating the list of tasks comprises providing information descriptive of each task. 
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 43  wherein the information descriptive of each task comprises one or more of a task name and a textual description of at least one of the tasks. 
     
     
       45. The system of  claim 25  wherein designating the event comprises copying the event definition. 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 25  wherein designating the event comprises importing the event definition. 
     
     
       47. The system of  claim 25  wherein designating the event comprises creating a new version of the event definition. 
     
     
       48. The system of  claim 25  wherein designate the event comprises specifying a home page associated with the event. 
     
     
       49. The system of  claim 25  wherein the processor executes the instructions to receive user input to associate a user-specified due date associated with the event. 
     
     
       50. The system of  claim 25  wherein the processor executes the instructions to receive user input to task page associated with at least one of the tasks. 
     
     
       51. The system of  claim 25  wherein the p processor executes the instructions to receive user input to specify that the event requires collaboration among two or more participants. 
     
     
       52. The system of  claim 51  wherein specifying that the event requires collaboration comprises identifying one or more owners of the event and one or more participants in the event. 
     
     
       53. The system of  claim 51  wherein specifying that the event requires collaboration comprises identifying one or more approvers associated with the event. 
     
     
       54. The system of  claim 25  wherein the processor the instructions to receive user input to associate the event with one or more roles in a role-based portal. 
     
     
       55. The system of  claim 25  wherein the processor executes the instructions to receive user input to export the designated event, the generated task list, or the specified performance order. 
     
     
       56. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform a method comprising:
 linking a specified event to an event definition, the event definition linked to an event hierarchy; 
 specifying a list of one or more tasks corresponding to the specified event and one or more resources associated with the one or more tasks; 
 indicating a task order including tasks to be performed in an order-dependent manner, wherein indicating a task order comprises: 
 indicating a first plurality of tasks that are to be performed in an order-dependent manner, in a specified sequence and under control of a wizard utility; and 
 indicating a second plurality of tasks that are to be performed in an order-independent manner, including performing substantially in parallel or in one of a sequential or consecutive manner; 
 formatting the list of tasks into a presentation format; 
 importing data; 
 modifying the imported data according to user-defined modifications; 
 exporting the modified data to one or more external systems, 
 associating one or more user-specified resources with the one or more tasks; 
 displaying the one or more tasks in a task page; and 
 updating the specified event based on one or more modifications to the event definition, the one or more modifications based at least in part on modifications to a higher-level event than the selected event in the event hierarchy. 
 
     
     
       57. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein at least one of specifying, indicating, or formatting comprise receiving user input via a graphical user interface. 
     
     
       58. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 57  wherein the graphical user interface comprises graphical abstractions. 
     
     
       59. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 58  wherein the graphical at least one of text entry fields, buttons, menus, icons, or links. 
     
     
       60. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 57  wherein the graphical user interface is provided in a browser-based application. 
     
     
       61. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein the specified event comprises a life or work event. 
     
     
       62. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein formatting comprises specifying a navigation model for presentation of the list of tasks. 
     
     
       63. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 62  wherein the navigation model comprises a at least one of flat list, a nested list, or a tree structure. 
     
     
       64. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 62  wherein the navigation model comprises a flat list with related tasks delineated by a group name. 
     
     
       65. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 62  wherein the navigation model comprises folders. 
     
     
       66. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein specifying the list of one or more tasks further comprises specifying whether at least one task is optional or mandatory. 
     
     
       67. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein indicating the task order further comprises specifying task priorities. 
     
     
       68. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein each resource comprises content or functionality or a combination of both. 
     
     
       69. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  further comprising instructions that cause the processor to associate a home page with the specified event. 
     
     
       70. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  further comprising instructions that cause the processor to associate a due date with the specified event. 
     
     
       71. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  further comprising instructions that cause the processor to associate a task page with at least one of the tasks. 
     
     
       72. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  further comprising instructions that cause the processor to designate the specified event as one that requires collaboration among two or more participants. 
     
     
       73. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 72  wherein the designation comprises an identification of one or more owners of the specified event and one or more participants in the specified event. 
     
     
       74. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 72  wherein the designation comprises an identification of one or more approvers associated with the specified event. 
     
     
       75. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  further comprising instructions that cause the processor to import the event definition. 
     
     
       76. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  further comprising instructions that cause the processor to create a new version of the event definition. 
     
     
       77. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 56  further comprising instructions that cause the processor to export the specified task list, the indicated task order, and the presentation format